1985 Porsche 911 Cabriolet

Written by Sports Car Market

he Porsche 911 is probably the single most recognizable car shape in the world, an instant “Classic.” For those who wanted to feel the wind in their hair while enjoying 911 motoring, Porsche manufactured for many years a “Targa” version of their immortal coupe. This “Targa” incorporated a rollover bar behind the cockpit as crash protection.

In the early 1980s, Porsche, like many other car manufacturers, believed that bureaucracy, particularly in America, would prevent a truly open car from being built. When their designers saw that this was not going to happen, they set to and swiftly came up with the classic Cabriolet. This 911 Carrera, with its simple one-handed hood operation, without having to fasten or release any buttons, proved an instant hit, especially in the USA. Another welcome feature is the rear panel carrying the transparent rear window can not only be opened by pulling a zip fastener but it is entirely detachable and can be replaced if the vinyl becomes damaged or scratched.

By this time, the 911 itself had been well developed into a fast, comfortable, fine handling car with its six-cylinder air-cooled 3.2-liter engine, which gave well over 200 hp some 5,900 rpm.

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